Clearly, Daly is one who speaks from experience when talking about hurdles. Daly’s smoking and drinking have kept him from reaching his potential. Sometimes, these vices have kept him from playing. He is a famously talented player who would rather have a great time.

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Daly moved to the Champions Tour last year. This essentially closes his bids to make some last great run. On joining the elder golfers, Daly told reporters, “I didn’t do the right things to prepare myself to win golf tournaments. You know, that’s definitely on me, and I admit that. … I think my mental attitude is 10 times better than it was in the ’90s.”

Sure, the 1990s were Daly’s peak, but Woods is just 10 years younger than Daly.

Daly last won a PGA Tour event in 2004, though he did secure a victory on the Champions Tour circuit in May. Having talent alone was rarely enough.

While Daly was the talented phenom, Woods was the master of his era. Still, Woods was built just as much from his work ethic as from his talent. Tiger was legendary for his workouts. He focused on adding muscle, exploding from 158 pounds at the start of his professional career to 185 pounds just 11 years later. It was practice, aerobic exercise and weight lifting.

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Woods took his talent and transformed it. He turned all this into 79 PGA Tour victories and 14 majors championships. Daly, well, he did none of these things.

According to Daly, Tiger himself has pointed out that on raw talent, Daly was the better player. He claims he was trying to tell Woods to come out drinking and Wood would not budge. Daly says Woods eventually responded, “If I had your talent I’d be doing the same thing you’re doing.”

Clearly, Woods has had his share of demons. His recent DUI arrest in Florida is just one more problem.

He blamed the incident on “an unexpected reaction to prescription medications” — the painkillers he was taking after his latest back surgery.

Daly was among those who offered his support, saying, “Get back on the golf course, man. This stuff will pass. It always does. Hey, it proves he’s human, he’s one of us, baby. I love him.”

Everyone wants Tiger Woods back where he was. It is good for the game and good for ratings. Comeback stories are a central theme in American folklore.

Both Woods and Daly have had substance abuse issues, both have ruined marriages, both have recovered from serious injuries. The difference is, Woods has never completely rebounded from his back problems.

While it is possible to return from lumbar microdiscectomy without serious issues, it can be a lingering problem. The fact that Tiger has frequently pulled out of events and had further back spasm issues, however, means it is not likely going as planned. He is now a 41-year-old man with a bad back in a sport that puts incredible torque on the back.

John Daly can be right and wrong in a single thought. Sure, Tiger can overcome his issues. He announced he is “receiving professional help” after his DUI arrest, and he seems to take his co-parenting duties seriously. Still, Woods is a long shot to get all the way back. It will not be his personal issues that hold him back; it will be his body.